Dispensary software is the backbone of every cannabis retail business. Beyond processing sales, it manages inventory, compliance, payment processing, delivery and more—all critical components of successful dispensary operations. Choosing the right platform is essential to compete in cannabis retail, where customer experience and operational efficiency can make or break your business.
In this article, we compare two popular dispensary software platforms—Cova and Flowhub—highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. We also discuss the benefits of an all-in-one POS system, and introduce Meadow as a dispensary software solution designed to meet the unique needs of dispensary operators.
More Comparisons: Choosing the Right Dispensary Software
For a deeper dive into the dispensary software solutions, explore our related articles:
- Treez vs. Blaze: Choosing the Best Dispensary Software
Jane vs. Dutchie: Choosing the Best Dispensary Software
These comparisons provide insights into the pros and cons of leading platforms, helping cannabis dispensary operators make informed decisions.
Why Your Dispensary Software Matters
Read more: How to Choose a Cannabis Dispensary POS System
A dispensary POS system is more than just a tool for sales. It ensures seamless inventory management, simplifies compliance, and enhances the customer experience by supporting features like online menus, loyalty programs, and delivery services. Choosing the wrong platform can lead to inefficiencies, compliance risks, and frustrated staff. In contrast, the right system empowers cannabis business owners and their teams to streamline operations, improve profitability, and scale effectively.
Key Features to Evaluate in Dispensary Software
When comparing Cova and Flowhub, it’s important to assess their performance in these critical areas:
- Sales: Does the platform support transactions across all sales channels, including in-store, delivery, pickup, kiosks, lounges and events?
- E-Commerce: Can the platform support online menus and transactions?
- Delivery Tools: Does it offer integrated delivery tools?
- Compliance: How well does it ensure adherence to state regulations?
- Inventory: Are counts accurate? Does it sync in real time across all menus?
- Payment Processing: Are there flexible and secure payment options?
- User Experience: Is the software easy to use, navigate, and train staff?
- Scalability: Can the system grow with your cannabis business?
Cova Overview
Cova, headquartered in Denver, CO, and Vancouver, BC, is a dispensary software provider serving cannabis businesses across Canada and the U.S. It offers tools for compliance, sales, inventory tracking and API integrations, but its lack of built-in e-commerce and delivery features presents limitations and adds complexity to workflows.
Cova’s Key Features:
- Compliance Tools: Automated track and trace compliance reporting.
- Inventory Management: Real-time tracking and inventory count importing.
- Payment Processing: Supports cashless transactions through Cova Pay.
- Point-of-Sale: Supports in-store and order ahead transactions, but no support for delivery.
Cova Strengths:
- Regulatory Compliance: Tools to simplify adherence to state regulations.
- Inventory Management: Real-time inventory updates.
- Third-Party Integrations: Integrates with systems like Weedmaps, Leafly, and Alpine IQ.
Cova Weaknesses:
- No Built-In E-Commerce: Requires third-party platforms for online menus, adding costs and complexity.
- No Delivery Tools: Delivery services rely entirely on external solutions.
- Issues with Speed & Reliability: Some users report long lag times and system crashes.
Flowhub Overview
Flowhub, founded in 2015, is another dispensary software platform focused on sales, compliance and operations. It's mobile handheld scanner can be used for inventory management and customer check-in and verification. It also offers mobile analytics insights for quick anywhere access. Like Cova, Flowhub also lacks built-in e-commerce, requires more manual processes, and provides only limited delivery tools.
Flowhub’s Key Features:
- Nug: Handheld scanning for check-in and inventory management.
- Dispensary Analytics: Basic analytics dashboards available on mobile.
- Payment Processing: Cashless transactions with Flowhub Pay.
- Point-of-Sale: Supports in-store and order ahead transactions, with limited support for delivery.
Flowhub Strengths:
- Mobile Scanning: Hand held mobile scanning for inventory and customer intake.
- User Interface: Clean UI thats easy to learn.
- Mobile Analytics: View analytics dashboards on mobile devices.
Flowhub Weaknesses:
- No Built-In E-Commerce: Lacks online menu functionality, relying on third-party solutions.
- Limited Delivery Tools: Delivery features are basic and do not include geofencing or automation.
- Manual Processes: Reporting, inventory reconciliation, and other tasks can be time-intensive and prone to errors.
Comparing Cova and Flowhub
E-Commerce
- Cova: Lacks built-in e-commerce capabilities, requiring dispensaries to rely on third-party platforms like Weedmaps or Leafly for online menus. This adds costs and complexity to workflows.
- Flowhub: Also does not offer built-in e-commerce tools, requiring integrations for online ordering. Customization and advanced features are limited.
Delivery Management
- Cova: Does not support delivery. Operators must rely entirely on third-party software, which can be costly and inefficient.
- Flowhub: Provides limited delivery tools, with no support for dynamic delivery (e.g., Ice Cream Truck model) or advanced features like route optimization and geofencing.
Compliance
- Cova: Known for strong compliance features, including automated reporting and Metrc syncing. However, users report occasional lag times that can disrupt workflows.
- Flowhub: Offers basic Metrc integration but requires more manual processes, such as inventory reconciliation, which increases the risk of errors and labor costs.
Inventory Management
- Cova: Real-time inventory tracking is a highlight, but slow system speeds and reliability issues can cause delays during busy periods.
- Flowhub: Offers inventory management tools but relies on manual processes for reconciliation, leading to inefficiencies and inaccuracies.
User Experience
- Cova: The platform’s interface is generally user-friendly, but reports of lagging and occasional system crashes frustrate staff during peak hours.
- Flowhub: Features a clean and intuitive interface that is easy for staff to learn, but backend tasks, such as reporting, require more manual effort, which slows down operations.
The High Cost of Fragmented Systems
When dispensary software lacks essential tools like e-commerce and delivery, operators are required to use third-party solutions to fill the gaps. This fragmented approach can result in:
- Increased Costs: Third-party platforms come with subscription fees, transaction charges, and hidden costs.
- Operational Inefficiencies: Systems that don’t integrate well lead to delays, errors, and redundant work.
- Staff Training Challenges: Employees must learn multiple platforms, creating a steep learning curve.
- Compromised Customer Experience: Poorly integrated systems can result in slower service and customer frustration.
The Long-Term Benefits of Choosing All-in-One
An all-in-one dispensary POS system simplifies operations and sets cannabis retailers up for long-term success. With everything under one roof, you can reduce costs, improve efficiency, and focus on delivering exceptional customer experiences. In an industry where convenience, reliability, and compliance are paramount, an all-in-one system is the smart choice for dispensary operators looking to thrive in a competitive market.
By prioritizing a solution that integrates essential features into a single platform, dispensaries can avoid the pitfalls of fragmented systems and fully leverage the potential and built-in efficiencies of their dispensary software.
Final Thoughts: Cova vs Flowhub
Cova and Flowhub both offer tools for sales, compliance, inventory management, and basic dispensary operations, but they each have notable gaps. On G2, operators report that they like Cova's real-time inventory updates, inventory counts, user interface, and support team, but don't like that is can be slow and experience lags, or crash. Cova prioritizes compliance, but it doesn’t include built-in e-commerce or delivery features, requiring dispensaries to rely on third-party systems.
Flowhub also has some helpful tools like mobile scanning and analytics, but it too lacks e-commerce capabilities and offers only limited delivery options. On G2, operators report that they like the user-friendly interface and its ease of use for budtenders. However, they express frustration with the manual effort required to access data and reports, dissatisfaction with customer support, and dislike of having separate interfaces for the front and back ends.
Both systems fall short when it comes to e-commerce and delivery. These features are increasingly important for dispensaries to stay competitive. Without them, operators often have to use outside platforms, which can lead to extra costs, inefficiencies, and more complicated workflows for staff.
Why Meadow Stands Out as a Better Alternative
While Cova and Flowhub address basic dispensary needs, their missing features expose the limitations of fragmented systems. Meadow offers a complete, all-in-one dispensary software solution that combines point-of-sale, e-commerce, delivery, inventory management, CRM, marketing, loyalty, compliance, analytics, and payments—all within a single platform. By eliminating the need for multiple disconnected tools, Meadow simplifies operations, reduces inefficiencies, and helps dispensaries save time and money while delivering a seamless experience for both staff and customers.
Meadow’s Standout Features:
- Omni-Channel Sales: Seamlessly manage sales across all channels, including in-store, pickup, delivery, floating sales, self-serve kiosks, consumption lounges, and events.
- E-Commerce & Menu Pro: Customizable online menus, online experiences and seamless checkout
- Integrated Delivery: Best-in-class Hub and Spoke and Dynamic Delivery with geofencing, automated dispatch, and real-time ledger compliance.
- Inventory Management: Cycle counts for accurate inventory, real-time updates across all your menus, forecasting, and order reminders.
- Flexible Payment Processing: Supports multiple cashless payment providers.
- Proven Reliability: 99.99% uptime over the last decade, including 100% uptime on 420.
- Transparent Pricing: No hidden fees or extra costs for critical features or integrations.
- Intuitive Design: Simple to use, speeding up transactions and reducing training time and operational errors.
- Exceptional Support: Fast, knowledgeable assistance from cannabis industry experts ensures easy onboarding and operations.
See What Dispensary Operators Are Saying
Don’t just take our word for it—see what dispensary operators across the country are saying about their experiences with Meadow on G2. With over 70 reviews and near-perfect ratings, Meadow consistently earns top marks for its ease of use, reliability, and powerful tools tailored to cannabis retail businesses. Cova and Flowhub trail behind in ratings and user satisfaction, reflecting the challenges many operators face with these systems. Learn directly from those using these platforms every day and see why so many dispensary owners trust Meadow to streamline their dispensary operations and drive success. Explore Meadow's G2 reviews and discover why Meadow is the trusted choice for dispensaries.
If you’re ready for a trusted all-in-one system, Meadow might be the partner you need.
Take the next step today.
